About Chuck Levy: Chuck Levy has earned the title of Florida's Old-Time Banjo Champ, as well as being a prize-winning Florida fiddler. Originally from Ohio, has been playing old-time music in north central Florida of the last 8 years. He is equally at home on 5 and 6 string banjos (five strings plus a short string), whether fretted or fretless, playing clawhammer and minstrel styles. He draws inspiration from the music of the Midwest, southern Appalachians, and most recently the flatlands of Florida. His repertoire includes its share of uncommon tunes as well as a few intriguing originals. He leads the string bands "Physical Medicine" and "Fear No Weevil". He is the current president of the Florida Banjo Society and a past president of the Florida State Fiddlers Association. He also performs monthly as an Artist-in-Residence for the Arts in Medicine program at Shands Hospital of the University of Florida. Chuck teaches fiddle and banjo in Gainesville, Florida, and directs the Suwannee Old-Time weekend and the Suwannee Banjo Camp.
In July, 2007, Chuck spent two weeks in Gambia, Africa, studying the akonting with Jola master musicians Remi Diatta, Ekona Diatta, as well as with noted researcher and performer, Daniel Jatta. The akonting is an African 3-stringed instrument, similar in construction to the banjo, that is played in a clawhammer-like style.
Organizational Responsibilities and Consulting
Founder and President of the Florida Banjo Society, 2006-2008
Director: Oldtime Banjo Contest at the Florida Folk Festival: 2005-6
This is an annual contest that draws competitors from Florida and neighboring states.
Co-Director and instructor: Suwannee Banjo Camp:2007, 2008
The Suwannee Banjo Camp gathers some of the nations most prominent banjoists for a weekend of performance and instruction
Director and Instructor: Suwannee Old-Time Camp 2006, 2007
The Oldtime Camp presents national and Florida performers on guitar, voice, banjo and fiddle for a weekend of performance and instruction
Banjo Design Consultant to Goldtone: 2006
Goldtone manufactures musical instruments including banjos, guitars, and mandolins.
President of the Florida State Fiddlers Association: 2002-4
The FSFA promotes oldtime and fiddle music throughout Florida and holds a yearly convention with a string band contest and also conducts a fiddle contest at the Florida Folk Festival
Instructor: Beginning fiddle, Suwannee Old Time Camp 2005
Competitions:
2006: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddle Contest
2006: 1st Place Florida Old-Time Music Championships: Banjo
2005: 1st Place: Florida State Banjo Contest
2005: 2nd Place: Southeast Pickin’ & Fiddlin’Contest: Old-Time Banjo
2005: 3rd Place: Southeast Pickin’ & Fiddlin’Contest: Old-Time Fiddle
2004: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle)
2004: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddle Contest
2004: 4th Place Florida Old-Time Music Championships: Banjo
2004: 3rd Place: Florida State Banjo Contest
2004: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle)
2001: 1st Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Fiddle)
2001: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Banjo)
2000: 2nd Place: Florida State Fiddlers Association Annual String Band Contest (Banjo)
SCANDALE ! LA SEANCE LOUISIANA EXPRESS DU 11 SEPTEMBRE ANNULEE ! Une fois de plus, les forces de la réaction entravent les progrès de la science musicomédicale ! La France aurait-elle peur de la vérité ? On ne compte plus les conférences annulées du polémique docteur Banza. Les pouvoirs publics redoutent les fracassantes révélations que l’auguste scientifique pourrait faire quant à sa clientèle, que l’on rencontre jusqu’au sommet du pouvoir. L’annulation de la soirée LOUISIANA EXPRESS du 11 septembre prochain traduit l’extrême tension qui règne actuellement au sein du gouvernement, et l’on chuchotte dans les milieux interlopes que la main de la C.I.A et d’Al Qaida pourrait être derrière ce nouveau muselage. Mais ce n’est que partie remise ! Ne laissons pas les esprits étroits hypotéquer notre futur ! Soutenez les forces de progrès en venant nombreux lors de la prochaine séance ! C’était un bulletin des « Amis du docteur Banza ».
Thanks Chuck! New Zealand has been great, I'm in my last year of studying composition here, but I'm originally from Kentucky. I've been playing clawhammer banjo for a couple years now also and I bought an old Mathews banjo here last year. I like your sound.
Hi Chuck- Thanks a lot for yer positive comments- Im lovin' the sound of the fiddle & Banjo pickin'- you got the right thing goin' on there- thats fer sure! sounds really wonderful- all the best- Mark D.
